Systems and methods for making and using a reusable novelty wrapping unit

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a novelty wrapping unit includes a concealing body, first and second retaining members, and first and second elongated strips of material. The first retaining member is disposed substantially entirely across a width of the concealing body in proximity to a first end of the concealing body. The second retaining member is disposed substantially entirely across the width of the concealing body in proximity to a second end of the concealing body. The first elongated strip of material is retained by the first retaining member such that two opposing ends of the first elongated strip of material extend from the first retaining member. The at least one second elongated strip of material is retained by the second retaining member such that two opposing ends of the second elongated strip of material extend from the second retaining member.

FIELD

The present invention is directed to the area of novelty wrap. The present invention is also directed to systems and methods for making and using a novelty wrapping unit for decoratively concealing one or more objects within the novelty wrapping unit such that, when the one or more objects are removed from the novelty wrapping unit, one or more other objects may subsequently be decoratively concealed within the novelty wrapping unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wrapping paper is commonly used to decoratively conceal one or more objects within the wrapping paper. Typically, the one or more concealed objects within the wrapping paper are offered to a recipient who tears open the wrapping paper to remove the one or more objects. Once the one or more objects are removed, the used wrapping paper is often discarded (e.g., placed into the garbage, or the like).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to the following Detailed Description, which is to be read in association with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a schematic front perspective view of one embodiment of a novelty wrapping unit decoratively concealing one or more objects, according to the invention;

FIG. 1B is a top plan view of one embodiment of the novelty wrapping unit of FIG. 1A, according to the invention;

FIG. 1C is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of the novelty wrapping unit of FIG. 1A, according to the invention;

FIG. 1D is a front view of one embodiment of the novelty wrapping unit of FIG. 1A, according to the invention;

FIG. 1E is a left side view of one embodiment of the novelty wrapping unit of FIG. 1A, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top perspective view of one embodiment of a novelty wrapping unit opened and laid out flat, the novelty wrapping unit including a concealing body and elongated strips of material extending from channels disposed across a width of the concealing body, according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top perspective view of one embodiment of a novelty wrapping unit opened and laid out flat, the novelty wrapping unit including a concealing body and elongated strips of material extending from loops disposed across a width of the concealing body, according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top perspective view of one embodiment of an object disposed on an inner surface of the concealing body of FIG. 2, according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top perspective view of one embodiment of an end of the concealing body of FIG. 2 being brought over top of the object of FIG. 4 to partially conceal the object within the concealing body, according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective side view of another embodiment of a novelty wrapping unit that includes a concealing body shaped into a cylinder and that is configured and arranged to receive an object, according to the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of using a novelty wrapping unit to decoratively conceal one or more objects, according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the area of novelty wrap. The present invention is also directed to systems and methods for making and using a novelty wrapping unit for decoratively concealing one or more objects within the novelty wrapping unit such that, when the one or more objects are removed from the novelty wrapping unit, one or more other objects may subsequently be decoratively concealed within the novelty wrapping unit.

The novelty wrapping unit is formed from materials that are sufficiently durable for repeated wrapping and unwrapping of one or more objects without ripping or tearing the novelty wrapping unit. In at least some embodiments, the novelty wrapping unit is configured and arranged for decoratively concealing one or more objects without using adhesive. In at least some embodiments, the novelty wrapping unit is formed completely from recyclable materials. In at least some embodiments, the novelty wrapping unit is configured and arranged to decoratively conceal one or more objects within the novelty wrapping unit such that the combination of the novelty wrapping unit and the one or more objects concealed therein has a general appearance that resembles candy disposed in a wrapper that is twisted on the ends of the wrapper to form collars and flared ends on two opposing ends of the wrapper.

FIG. 1A is a schematic front perspective view of one embodiment of a novelty wrapping unit 100 configured and arranged to decoratively conceal one or more objects (402 in FIG. 4) therein. FIG. 1B is a top plan view of one embodiment of the novelty wrapping unit 100. FIG. 1C is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of the novelty wrapping unit 100. FIG. 1D is a front view of one embodiment of the novelty wrapping unit 100. FIG. 1E is a left side view of one embodiment of the novelty wrapping unit 100.

The novelty wrapping unit 100 includes a concealing body 102, elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b, and one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b coupled to the concealing body 102. The one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b couple the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b to the concealing body 102. The elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b each include opposing strip ends 130 a and 130 b.

In FIGS. 1A-1E, the opposing strip ends 130 a and 130 b of the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are shown extending from the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b enough to be overlapped with one another and be pulled tight to cinch the retaining members 106 a and 106 b closed. In at least some embodiments, the opposing strip ends 130 a and 130 b of the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are overlapped with one another and pulled tight such that the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b form a reversible knot.

In at least some embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b each extend from the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b by at least one inch. In at least some embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b each extend from the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b by at least two inches. In at least some embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b each extend from the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b by at least three inches. In at least some embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b each extend from the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b by at least four inches. In at least some embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b each extend from the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b by at least five inches. In at least some embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b each extend from the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b by at least six inches.

In at least some embodiments, cinching the retaining members 106 a and 106 b closed forms collars 108 a and 108 b in proximity to a first end 110 a and an opposing second end 110 b of the novelty wrapping unit 100. In at least some embodiments, cinching the retaining members 106 a and 106 b closed conceals the one or more objects (402 in FIG. 4) disposed within the novelty wrapping unit 100 from view, via the ends 110 a and 110 b. In at least some embodiments, forming the collars 108 a and 108 b causes the ends 110 a and 110 b flare outward axially from the collars 108 a and 108 b. In at least some embodiments, once the collars 108 a and 108 b are formed, the opposing strip ends 130 a and 130 b of each of the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b may be tied into bows 112 a and 112 b to maintain the retaining members 106 a and 106 b cinched closed.

In some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is formed from a single layer of material. In alternate embodiments, the concealing body 102 is formed from a plurality of layers of material. In at least some embodiments, when a plurality of layers of material are employed, at least one of the plurality of layers of material at least partially overlaps another of the plurality of layers of material. In at least some embodiments, when a plurality of layers of material are employed, at least one of the plurality of layers of material abuts another of the plurality of layers of material without overlapping.

In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is planar. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is pliable enough to be rolled, bent, folded, or creased. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is soft and durable. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is opaque. In at least some embodiments, surface ornamentation (e.g., printed words, designs, colors, textures, frill, flair, decoupage, or the like or combinations thereof) may be applied to at least a portion of an outer surface 114 of the concealing body 102. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is formed from recyclable material. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is formed from one or more olefin fibers. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is formed from one or more high-density polyethylene fibers. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is formed from Tyvek®. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is tear-resistant. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 may be cut into a desired shape using scissors. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 is splash-resistant.

The elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b can be formed from any suitable material including, for example, one or more olefin fibers (e.g., one or more high-density polyethylene fibers, or the like), ribbon, leather, string, lace, yarn, straw, cloth, plastic, rubber, hemp, or the like or combinations thereof. In preferred embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are formed from one or more reusable materials. In at least some embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are formed from one or more recyclable materials. In at least some embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are formed from the same material as the concealing body 102.

In at least some embodiments, the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b couple the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b to the concealing body 102 such that the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are slidable along the length of the retaining members 106 a and 106 b. In at least some embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are removable from the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b.

In at least some embodiments, the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b are disposed, at least partially, along the outer surface 114 of the concealing body 102. In at least some embodiments, the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b are disposed, at least partially, along an inner surface (200 in FIG. 2) of the concealing body 102. In at least some embodiments, the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b are disposed, at least partially, between the outer surface 110 and the inner surface (200 in FIG. 2) of the concealing body 102. For example, the ends 110A and 110B of a single layer of material forming the concealing body 102 may be folded over and stitched to form retaining members 106 a and 106 b.

The one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b may couple the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b to the concealing body 102 in any suitable manner including, for example, via one or more channels, loops, flaps of material, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, zippers, or the like or combinations thereof. In at least some embodiments, the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b are formed as one or more channels. FIG. 2 is a schematic top perspective view of one embodiment of the concealing body 102 laid out flat. The concealing body 102 includes an inner surface 200. In FIG. 2, the channels 106 a and 106 b retain the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b.

In at least some embodiments, the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b are formed as one or more loops of material. FIG. 3 is a schematic top perspective view of one embodiment of the concealing body 102 laid out flat. In FIG. 3, the plurality of loops, such as loops 106 a and 106 b, retain the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b, respectively.

In preferred embodiments (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), the concealing body 102 is rectangular. It will be understood, however, that the concealing body 102 may be of any shape, either geometric or non-geometric including, for example, oval, circular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, nonagonal, decagonal, or the like. In at least some embodiments, the concealing body 102 has a length, represented by a two-headed arrow 202, and a width, represented by a two-headed arrow 204. In at least some embodiments, the width 204 is no greater than the length 202. In at least some embodiments, the width 204 is no less than the length 202. In at least some embodiments, the width 204 is equal to the length 202. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the length 202 of the concealing body 102 extends from the first end 110 a to the second end 110 b and the width 204 of the concealing body 102 extends from a third end 206 a to a fourth end 206 b.

In at least some embodiments, the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b open to the outer surface 114 of the concealing body 102. In at least some embodiments, the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b open to the inner surface 200 of the concealing body 102. In at least some embodiments, the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b open in proximity to the third end 206 a of the concealing body 102. In at least some embodiments, the one or more retaining members 106 a and 106 b open in proximity to the fourth end 206 b of the concealing body 102.

The concealing body 102 may be any size and shape suitable for decoratively concealing one or more objects. FIG. 4 is a schematic top perspective view of one embodiment of an object 402 disposed on an inner surface 200 of the concealing body 102. As discussed above, a plurality of objects 402 may be disposed on the inner surface 200 of the concealing body 102, in lieu of a single object 402. The one or more objects 402 can be any object(s) suitable for decoratively concealing. For example, the one of more objects 402 may be a gift for presenting to a third person. In preferred embodiments, the one or more objects 402 are disposed on the concealing body 102 such that the one or more objects 402 are positioned between the retaining members 106 a and 106 b.

Once the one or more objects 402 are disposed on the concealing body 102, the third end 206 a and the fourth end 206 b may be brought together over the one or more objects 402 to decoratively conceal the one or more objects 402 within the concealing body 102. FIG. 5 is a schematic top perspective view of one embodiment of the third end 206 a of the concealing body 102 being brought over top of the object 402 towards the fourth end 206 b of the concealing body 102, thereby partially covering the object 402. It will be understood that the fourth end 206 b of the concealing body 102 may be brought over top of the object towards the third end 206 a of the concealing body 102, or both the third and 206 a and the fourth end 206 b of the concealing body 102 may be brought together over the object 402. In preferred embodiments, the third end 206 a and the fourth end 206 b of the concealing body 102 are brought together such that the third end 206 a and the fourth end 206 b of the concealing body 102 overlap one another along the length 202 of the concealing body 102. In at least some embodiments, at least one of the third end 206 a or the fourth end 206 b include one or more fasteners along at least a portion of the length 202 of the concealing body 102 configured and arranged to maintain the third end 206 a and the fourth end 206 b overlapping with one another.

As discussed above, once the third end 206 a and the fourth end 206 b are brought together, opposing ends of the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are overlapped with one another and pulled tight to cinch closed the retaining members 106 a and 106 b, thereby completely concealing the one or more objects (402 in FIG. 4) from view via the ends 110 a and 110 b. In at least some embodiments, the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b may be wrapped one or more times around the collars 108 a and 108 b prior to (or after, or before and after) the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are overlapped with one another and pulled tight to cinch closed the retaining members 106 a and 106 b. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, the opposing strip ends 130 a and 130 b of each of the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b may be tied into bows 112 a and 112 b.

In FIGS. 2-5, the concealing body is shown as being planar. The concealing body, however, may be any suitable shape for retaining and decoratively concealing one or more objects. In alternate embodiments, the concealing body is formed as a cylinder into which one or more objects may be disposed and decoratively concealed. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective side view of one embodiment of a novelty wrapping unit 600 and the object 402. The novelty wrapping unit 600 includes a concealing body 602 that is shaped as a cylinder and that is configured and arranged to receive and decoratively conceal the object 402, as shown by arrow 604.

In at least some embodiments, the object 402 may be decoratively concealed by the concealing body 602, as described for the above embodiments. For example, the opposing strip ends 130 a and 130 b of the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b may be overlapped with one another and pulled tight to cinch the retaining members 106 a and 106 b (see e.g., FIG. 2) closed, thereby completely concealing the object 402 from view via the ends 110 a and 110 b. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, the opposing strip ends 130 a and 130 b of each of the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b may be tied into bows 112 a and 112 b (see e.g., FIG. 1A).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of using the novelty wrapping unit to conceal one or more objects. In step 702, one or more objects 402 are disposed on the inner surface 200 of the concealing body 102. In step 704, the third end 206 a and the fourth end 206 b of the concealing body 102 are brought together around the one or more objects 402. In at least some embodiments, bringing the third end 206 a and the fourth end 206 b together at least partially conceals the one or more objects 402 from view. In step 706, the opposing strip ends 130 a and 130 b of the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are each overlapped with one another and pulled tight to cinch the retaining members 106 a and 106 b closed. In at least some embodiments, once the retaining members 106 a and 106 b are pulled closed the one or more objects 402 are completely concealed from view. In optional step 708, the opposing strip ends 130 a and 130 b of each of the elongated strips of material 104 a and 104 b are tied into bows 112 a and 112 b.

The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention also resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 

1. A novelty wrapping unit comprising: a concealing body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a length, a width, a first end and a second end at opposite sides of the length, and a third end and a fourth end at opposite sides of the width; at least one first retaining member disposed substantially entirely across the width of the concealing body in proximity to the first end; at least one second retaining member disposed substantially entirely across the width of the concealing body in proximity to the second end; at least one first elongated strip of material, the at least one first elongated strip of material retained by the at least one first retaining member such that two opposing ends of the at least one first elongated strip of material each extend from the at least one first retaining member by at least one inch; and at least one second elongated strip of material, the at least one second elongated strip of material retained by the at least one second retaining member such that two opposing ends of the at least one second elongated strip of material extend from the at least one second retaining member by at least one inch.
 2. The novelty wrapping unit of claim 1, wherein the concealing body is formed from at least one recyclable material.
 3. The novelty wrapping unit of claim 1, wherein the concealing body is formed from reusable material.
 4. The novelty wrapping unit of claim 1, wherein the concealing body is formed from a high-density polyethylene fiber.
 5. The novelty wrapping unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the elongated strips of material is formed from the same material as the concealing body.
 6. The novelty wrapping unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one first retaining member or the at least one second retaining member is a channel that extends substantially entirely across the width of the concealing body.
 7. The novelty wrapping unit if claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the concealing body comprises a plurality of layers of material.
 8. The novelty wrapping unit of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the at least one first retaining member or the at least one second retaining member is disposed between multiple layers of material.
 9. The novelty wrapping unit of claim 1, wherein the concealing body is planar.
 10. The novelty wrapping unit of claim 1, wherein the concealing body is formed as a cylinder.
 11. The novelty wrapping unit of claim 1, wherein the two opposing ends of the at least one first elongated strip of material each extend from the at least one first retaining member by an amount sufficient for overlapping the two opposing ends of the at least one first elongated strip and then pull the opposing ends apart to cinch the at least one first retaining member closed, and wherein the two opposing ends of the at least one second elongated strip of material each extend from the at least one second retaining member by an amount sufficient for overlapping the two opposing ends of the at least one second elongated strip and then pull the opposing ends apart to cinch the at least one second retaining member closed.
 12. A method for wrapping at least one object, the method comprising: (a) placing the at least one object on a novelty wrapping unit, the novelty wrapping unit comprising a concealing body, the concealing body comprising at least one first retaining member disposed substantially entirely across a width of the concealing body in proximity to a first end and at least one second retaining member disposed substantially entirely across the width of the concealing body in proximity to a second end opposite to the first end, wherein at least one first elongated strip of material is at least partially disposed in the at least one first retaining member, wherein at least one second elongated strip of material is at least partially disposed in the at least one second retaining member, and wherein the at least one object is placed on an inner surface of the concealing body between the first retaining member and the second retaining member; (b) bringing a third end and a fourth end opposite to the third end of the concealing body together around the at least one object such that such that the third side and the fourth side overlap one another and the at least one object is at least partially concealed by the concealing body; (c) overlapping opposing ends of the at least one first elongated strip of material together and pulling the ends apart from one another to cinch closed the at least one first elongated strip of material along the at least one first retaining member such that the at least one object is concealed from view from the first side of the concealing body; and (d) overlapping opposing ends of the at least one second elongated strip of material together and pulling the ends apart from one another to cinch closed the at least one second elongated strip of material along the at least one second retaining member such that the at least one object is concealed from view from the second side of the concealing body.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising (e) tying together the opposing ends of the at least one first elongated strip of material together to form a bow.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising (f) tying together the opposing ends of the at least one second elongated strip of material together to form a bow.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein overlapping opposing ends of the at least one first elongated strip of material together and pulling the ends apart from one another to cinch closed the at least one first elongated strip of material along the at least one first retaining member comprises forming a first collar.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein overlapping opposing ends of the at least one first elongated strip of material together and pulling the ends apart from one another to cinch closed the at least one first elongated strip of material along the at least one first retaining member comprises forming an outwardly-flaring first end.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein overlapping opposing ends of the at least one second elongated strip of material together and pulling the ends apart from one another to cinch closed the at least one second elongated strip of material along the at least one second retaining member comprises forming a second collar.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein overlapping opposing ends of the at least one second elongated strip of material together and pulling the ends apart from one another to cinch closed the at least one second elongated strip of material along the at least one second retaining member comprises forming an outwardly-flaring second end.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein steps (a) through (d) are performed without using adhesive.
 20. The method of claim 14, further comprising removing the one or more objects from the novelty wrapping unit and repeating steps (a) through (d). 